Patanjali, believed to have lived around 200 BCE, is renowned for his compilation of the Yoga Sutras, a foundational text in the philosophy of yoga. In Sutra 1.30, he delineates nine obstacles or distractions that can impede the practitioner on the path to attaining yoga. One of these obstacles is 'avirati,' which translates to the absence of the spirit of renunciation.
In the context of yoga, the ultimate goal is often described
as 'chitta-vritti-nirodha,' the suppression or control of the fluctuations of
the mind. These mental fluctuations, or modifications of the mind (chitta
vrittis), persist as long as their underlying causes endure. One such cause
that Patanjali identifies is 'kama'—desire, especially the desire for sensual
pleasures.
To overcome the hindrance of kama, Patanjali emphasizes the
importance of 'virati,' which involves practicing dispassion and cultivating a
profound spirit of renunciation. Virati involves restraining or moderating
desires, fostering a detachment from the sensory pleasures that often entangle
the mind. It's through virati that one gains control over kama, leading to a
more focused and tranquil state of mind conducive to the practice of yoga.
On the contrary, when 'avirati' prevails—when the spirit of
renunciation is absent—it becomes a substantial obstacle to the path of yoga.
Without the necessary dispassion and renunciation, desires continue to
flourish, fueling the perpetual cycle of mental modifications and obstructing
the practitioner from achieving the stillness and clarity sought in yoga.
In essence, Patanjali underscores the significance of
cultivating a mindset of renunciation and dispassion to overcome the obstacles
that desires pose on the journey towards mastering the fluctuations of the mind
in the pursuit of yoga.